Iñigo Calderón stated that his Bristol Rovers team must improve after the Gas lost 3-0 to Stevenage in Sky Bet League One.
Rovers were looking to bounce back from their unfortunate 3-1 defeat to Exeter City in their last outing under the Spaniard, who was in charge of the Pirates for the first time. They started well in the opening 15 minutes but struggled to recover after conceding a header from Elliott List.
Jamie Lindsay was then sent off for a second bookable offence after the restart, with goals from Jordan Roberts and Jamie Reid completing the victory for the Boro, meaning Rovers ended 2024 with a defeat on the road.
Calderón reflected on his first match in the dugout and insisted that his team would get better.
It was not a good welcome...
“It was not a good welcome,” he said. “It was quite tough. I think we started well, and I liked what I saw in the first 15 minutes. After that 15 minutes, I think we stopped doing the things that I would like to see more.
“After the first 15 minutes, I think we disappeared a little bit, and then Stevenage started to do the game that we knew they could do, and we knew the way that they are going to score the goals was from set-pieces or crosses, and they did exactly that.
“They had the plan, they did it, and they scored. We deserved to lose today. It’s as simple as that. On top of that, there were key moments of the game. A clear one is the red card and the goal straight after.
“I like the attitude from the boys. I don’t think it’s easy to go 2-0 down and keep fighting with one man down. You have to do that, but still, sometimes, you don’t see it. I want to see that as a positive.”
We have to improve in every single aspect of the game...
“The personality from the players is a minimum,” said the head coach. “From there we can build things. If we don’t have that, that’s it, it’s over. But, it’s too early. We cannot see the progress of the team in one day. It’s impossible, but at the same time, we cannot use the excuse for too long.
“The change and reaction has to be quick and has to start against Leyton Orient. We have to improve. It is as simple as that. I said to the boys that it's not unlucky, it's not the referee, it’s us. We have to improve in every single aspect of the game, but we will.”
We will change; we will improve...
“We were not really clear about what to do with the ball, how to defend, everything was a bit messy, and that’s normal,” said Calderón. “We will change; we will improve. It matters if it is two weeks, three weeks, one month, or two months, it’s too late. It has to be quicker, as quick as possible.”
Everyone is going to have their chance...
“We have a lot of games, so the players are going to have a chance,” he said. “Everyone has to be ready. Ideally, for a coach, it is not the best because you cannot train, and the training ground is where you can see the improvements and you can implement your plan.
“But at the same time, that gives chances to the players to prove that they can play. So, I think it is a good moment for them as everyone is going to have their chance.
I am really looking forward to the next game...
“I am really looking forward to the next game [against Leyton Orient] because I’ve heard a lot of good things about the fans at home and when we did the presentation, I saw the stadium and I think it’ll be really good,” he stated.
